<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                      15,639,828
<SECURITIES>                                 5,021,899
<RECEIVABLES>                                  359,508
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    714,555
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            23,543,740
<PP&E>                                       9,045,357
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,908,858
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              30,734,421
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,990,254
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       141,937
<OTHER-SE>                                  24,157,338
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                30,734,421
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,831,556
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,746,027<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (392,299)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (3,573,206)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (3,588,206)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (3,588,206)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.26)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.26)
<FN>
<F1>TOTAL COSTS INCLUDES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES AND COST OF REVENUES.
BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT IS OF THE OPINION
THAT IT IS NOT MEANINGFUL TO SEGREGATE THESE COSTS.
</FN>